1 Please give us a brief bio of yourself and your creative background.

During my school years, I was a student who greatly enjoyed drawing and creating. Every page of my textbooks became a canvas for my artwork. As a result, I developed a certain understanding of proportion, structure, and stylistic logic. Throughout the design process, I repeatedly assess the harmony between colors and shapes. Additionally, I consider whether the design effectively communicates the client's ideas to the outside world, ensuring it possesses sufficient impact and persuasiveness to truly convey the story we wish to tell.

2 What made you become/why did you choose to become a creative?

Since childhood, I've had a fondness for doodling and creating on colorful sheets of paper. The vibrant hues and ever-changing shapes held a great allure for me. Perhaps it's because I grew up in Yingge, a small town in Taiwan renowned for its ceramics. The artistic ambiance of my hometown subtly nurtured my powers of observation. I cherish memories of the laughter echoing between people as we worked with clay, and I aspire for the power of design to transform the rhythm of the world through the interplay of human relationships. I hope it can gradually instill in everyone a heartfelt sense of warmth.

3 Tell us more about your business/company, job profile, and what you do.

Warm Corner Design is a fledgling idea that's just beginning to take shape. There's a sense of urgency to share so much with the world, but taking it one step at a time might be the gentlest approach. I hope that one day Warm Corner Design will become synonymous with transforming the working landscape, where everyone finds a fitting stage to shine, and every client discovers the solutions they seek. Just like its name suggests, it's about bringing people together in a warm corner.

4 What does “creativity” mean to you?

I see it as the finishing touch that brings everything together, like flowers blooming in winter or cities waiting to be discovered beneath the sea. It's a medium for conversing with boundless imagination, allowing us to tap into our innate human creativity. It's this gift that has shaped the wonderful lives we lead today.

5 To you, what makes a “creative” idea and/or design?

Through the designer's mindset, organize a visual that communicates ideas easily to the world.

6 Tell us about your creative and/or design process.

The creative process began with intimate discussions with our client partners for this project. Through these discussions, we gained insights into the local culture and customs of the community. I believe that the quickest way to understand a person or a place is to understand its stories. Therefore, we drew inspiration from local folk songs or legendary tales to not only create rich imaginative spaces but also to delve deeper into the concepts we aim to convey.

7 What's your favorite part of the creative process and why?

My favorite part is combining colors and exploring different forms. It's like adding magic to a mundane canvas. I spend a lot of time ensuring consistency in the shapes of every object and animal, striving for a cohesive visual narrative. In the end, seeing the results that satisfy both the client and myself is truly rewarding.

8 Describe your creative style and its main characteristics.

I love using bold colors as the first step to catch the viewer's attention. Then, I employ basic geometric shapes to create a varied and rich yet orderly visual structure. Each composition is like a puzzle, allowing for free combination and assembly.

9 Do you think your country and its cultural heritage has an impact on your creativity process?

It sounds like those influences run deep! Just as your hometown's ceramic culture taught you about rich and varied forms of expression through color and shape, Taiwan's legendary tales are brimming with boundless imagination. They allow for a creative departure from logic and real-world constraints in visual creation.

10 Congratulations! As the winner of the 2024 MUSE Creative Awards, what does it mean to you and your company and team to receive this award distinction?

We're truly grateful for the recognition from the MUSE team. It means we need to work even harder to create beautiful things. We hope that each step we take can gradually be seen by everyone, gathering the power of warmth to change society. We also hope for more opportunities in the future to stand on this stage, alongside so many outstanding works, and showcase them to the world. It's an amazing experience!

11 Can you explain a bit about the winning work you entered into the 2024 MUSE Creative Awards, and why you chose to enter this project?

Alishan is acclaimed as the producer of Taiwan's championship coffee beans and boasts a plethora of tribal culture and ecology. Through the cultural narratives of the local indigenous 'Tsou' people and the landscape of mountains and forests, we aspire to present the abundant flavor of Alishan coffee. This enchanting drinking experience, encompassing sight, progressing to smell and taste, is intended to be etched into memory, while simultaneously promoting the development of local tribal culture to a wider audience.

12 What was the biggest challenge with this project?

The printing process had numerous discussions regarding color, but thankfully, many of our collaborating partners were willing to go the extra mile to ensure that the colors in our work were faithfully presented. It's reassuring to have such dedicated support, allowing the colors in our work to shine true for everyone to see.

13 How has winning an Award developed your practice/career?

Through this opportunity, I've been able to see more outstanding and mature works, which has elevated my perspective for considering every aspect of design projects. I also hope to continue pushing myself beyond my limits, striving for continuous improvement.

14 What makes your country specifically, unique in the creative industry?

Our rich local Taiwanese culture, combined and clashed with external cultures, has evolved into our unique characteristics, which is our invaluable trait.

15 Where do you see the evolution of creative industry going over the next 5-10 years?

I believe people will increasingly rely on the convenience brought by artificial intelligence (AI), but I hope that the warmth between people can still be preserved in everyone's hearts in the future.

16 If you were a student entering this industry or an aspiring MUSE Creative Awards submitter, what advice would you give them?

Unleash your creativity to the fullest! The criticisms or denials of others cannot deter your courage to strive for your dreams.

17 What resources would you recommend to someone who wants to improve their skills in the creative industry?

Starting from observing excellent works from multiple perspectives, adopting a versatile and flexible thinking approach will drive the growth of your aesthetic sense, gradually transforming you into a more mature creative professional.

18 Tell us something you have never told anyone else.

I guess I still get nervous when presenting proposals! Hahaha!

19 Who has inspired you in your life and why?

My college professor pointed out my flaws in front of the whole class during my first assignment, which was quite a blow to my confidence. Yet, I felt determined to prove myself to him. Surprisingly, he was very willing to provide me with more guidance afterward. From that moment on, I developed an inexplicable passion for design.

20 What is your key to success? Any parting words of wisdom?

I don't feel like I've reached success yet, but I will strive to ensure both the client and myself are satisfied. I always tell myself that anything you put your all into will turn out great in the end!

21 Do you have anything else you would like to add to the interview?

Thank you for your affirmation this time! See you next time!

WINNING ENTRY

Typography
2024
MUSE Winner - Alishan coffee Illustration and packaging design

Entrant Company

WarmCornerDesign

Category

Typography - Packaging / Product